PR S/S7 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




PR 5187 
.P2 P64 
Copy 1 



PR-IOE IS OEIVTS. 




'^3^5 DE "WITT'S AnTT>TG- PLAYS. 



I jf Y (l^w<n'>e»- 19^' 




p-) Kl^ the 

CAPTAI OF THE ffATCH. 

A COMEDIETTA, 
Ilsr OlSTE -A.CT. 

By J. R. PLANCHE. 



[FEEELY RENDERED FEOM THE FRENCH PIECE, ENTITLED, " LE CHEV- 
ALIER DU GUET, ' BY M. LOCKROY.] ■ 



AS PERFORMED AT COVENT GARDEN THEATRE, LONDON, 
IN 1841, 



TO WHICH ABE ADDED, 

A description ot the Costumes— Synopsis of the Piece— Cast ol the Characters 

—Entrances and Exits— Relative Positions of the Performers on 

the Stage, and the whole of the Stage Business. 




ROBERT M. DE WITT, PUBLISHER 
JVo. 33 Rose Street. 



i^nxr fTHE HUIVCHBACK. A Play. In Five Acts. By James Sheridan 
lkU» ^ Knowles. Price 15 cents. 

ItEA.I>Y. j THE XWIiM MS'rERS. A Comic Operetta. In One Act. By Al- 

'' fred B. Sedgwick. Price 15 cents. 




DE WITT'S ACTING PLAYS. 



5^° Please notice that nearly all the Comedies, Farces and Comediettas in the following 
^ist ©/"Be Witt's Acting Plats" are very suitable for represeiitatiou in small Amateur Thea- 
tres and on Parlor Stages, as they need but little extHnsic aid from complicated scenery or 
expensixe costumes. They have attained their deserved popidarity by their droll situations^ 
excellent plots, great humor and brilliant dialogues, no less than by the fact that they are the 
most perfect in every respect of any edition of plays ever imblished either in the United States 
or Europe, whether as regards purity of the text, accuracy and fulness of stage directions and 
scenery, or elegance of typography and clearness of 2)rinting. 

*** ^>i ordering x>lcase copy the figures at the commencement of each 2iiece, which indicate 
the number of the inece in "De Witt's List op Acting Plays." 

Jt^= Any of the following Plays sent, j^osfage free, on receipt of price — 15 
cents each. 

Address, ROBERT M. DE WITT, 

JVo. 33 Sose Street, JVew York. 
^W" The figure following the name of the Play denotes the number of 
Acts. The figures in the columns indicate the number of characters — K. male ; 
E. female. 



No. M r 

75. Adrienne, drama, 3 acts i o 

114. Anything for a Change, comedy, 13 3 
167. Apple Blossoms, comedy, 3 acts. ... 7 3 

93. Area Belle (The), farce, 1 act 3 2 

40. Atchi, comedietta, 1 act 3 2 

89. Aunt Charlotte's Maid, farce. 1 act. . 3 3 

192. Game of Cards (A), comedietta, 13 1 
166. Bardell vs. Pickwick, sketch, 1 act. 6 2 

41. Beautiful Forever, farce, 1 act 2 3 

141. Bells (The), drama, 3 acts 9 3 

67. Birthplace of Podgers, farce, 1 act. . 7 
36. Black Sheep, drama, 3 acts 7 

160. Blow for Blow, drama, 4 acts 11 

70. Bonnie Fish Wife, farce, 1 act 3 

179- Breachof Promise,, drama, 2 acts.. 5 

25. Broken-Hearted Club, comedietta, 1 4 

24. Cabman, No. 93, farce, 1 act 2 

1. Caste, comedy, 3 acts 5 3 

69. Caus,ht by the Cuff, farce, 1 act 4 1 

175. Cast" upon the World, drama, 5 acts. 10 5 
55. Catharine Howard, historical play, 

3 acts 12 5 

80. Charming pair, farce, 1 act 4 6 

65. Checkmate, comedy, 2 acts 6 5 

68. Chevalier de St. George, drama, 3 9 3 

76. Chops of the Channel, farce, 1 act. 3 2 

149. Clouds, comedy, 4 acts 8 7 

121. Comical Countess, farce, 1 act 3 1 

107. Cupboard Love, farce, 1 act 2 1 

152. Cupid's Eye-Glass, comedy, 1 act... 1 1 

52. Cup of Tea, comedietta, 1 act 3 1 

148. Cut off with a Shilling, comedietta, 

1 act 2 1 

113 CyrilPs Success, comedy, 5 acts — 10 4 
199. Captain of the Watch (The), come- 
dietta, 1 act 

20. Daddy Gray, drama, 3 acts 

4. Dandelion's Dodges, farce, 1 act 

22. David liarrick, comedy, 3 acts 

96. Dearest Mamma, comedietta, 1 act, 

16. Deaver than Life, drama, 3 acts 

58. Deborah (Leah) drama, 3 acts 

125. Deerfoot, farce. 1 act 

71. Doing for the Best, drama, 2 acts. . 
142. Dollars and Cents, comedy, 3 acts. . 



No. M. 

21. Dreams, drama, 5 acts 6 

186. Duchess de la Valliere, play, 5 acts. . 6 

47. Easy Shaving, farce, 1 act 5 

13). Everybody's Friend, comedy, 3 acts. 6 

200. Estranged, an operetta, 1 act 2 

103. Faust and Marguerite, drama, 3 acts, 9 
9. Fearful Tragedy in the Seven Dials, 

interlude,''l act 4 

128. Female Detective, drama, 3 acts.... 11 



101. Fernande, drama, 3 acts 11 10 

99. Fifth Wheel, comedy, 3 acts 10 2 

145. First Love, comedy, 1 act 4 1 

102. Foiled, drama. 4 acts 9 3 

88. Founded on Facts, farce, 1 act . . .4 2 

74. Garrick Fever, farce, 1 act 7 4 

53. Gertrude's Money Bos, farce, 1 act. 4 2 

73. Golden Fetter (Fettered), drama, 3 11 4 
30. Goose with the Golden Eggs, farce, 

1 act 5 3 

131. Go to Putney, farce, 1 act. 4 3 

28. Happv Pair, comedietta, 1 act 1 1 

151. Hard Case (A), farce, 1 act 2 

8. Henry Dunbar, drama, 4 acts 10 3 

180. Henry the Fifth, historical play, 5 38 5 

19. He's a Lunatic, farce, 1 act 3 2 

60. Hidden Hand, drama, 4 acts 5 5 ! 

187. His Own Enemy, farce, 1 act 4 1 i 

174. Home, comedy, 3 acts 4 3 j 

64. Household Fairy, sketch, 1 act 1 1 i 

190. Hunting the Slipper, farce, 1 act 4 1 ; 

191. High C, comedietta, 1 act 4 2 

197. Hunchback (The), play, 5 acts 14 2 

18. If I Had a Thousand a Year, farce, 

lact 4 3 

116. I'm Not Mesilf at All, original Irish 

stew, 1 act 3 2 

129. In for a Holiday, farce, 1 act 2 3 

159. In the Wrong House, farce, 1 act. . . 4 2 

122. Isabella Orsiiii, drama, 4 acts 11 4 

177. I Shall Invite the Major, comedy, 14 1 

100. Jack Long, drama, 2 acts 9 2 

139. Joy is Dangerous, comedy, 2 acts. . . 3 3 

17. Kind to a Fault, comedy, 2 acts 6 4 

86. Lady of Lyons, play, 5 acts 12 5 

72. Lame Excuse, farce, 1 act 4 2 



THE 

CAPTAIN OF THE WATCH. 

IN ONE ACT, 
BY jr R" PLAXCHE. 



[feeely eendeeed feom the feench piece, entitled, "le chevaliee 
DU guet," by m. lockeoy.] 



AS PEEFORMED AT CO VENT GARDEN THEATRE, LONDON, IN 1841. 



TO WHICH ARE ADDED, 

A DESCRIPTION OF THE COSTUMES — CAST OF THE CHARACTERS — EN- 
TRANCES AND EXITS — RELATIVE POSITIONS OF THE PER- 
FORMERS ON THE STAGE, AND THE WHOLE 
OF THE STAGE BUSINESS. 




NEW YORK; 
ROBERT M. DE WITT, PlfBLISHER, 

No. 33 Rose Stbeet. 

(BETWEEN DUANE AND FRANKFORT 8TBEETS.) 
COPTBIOHT, 1870, 8V BOBEBZ M. Ds WlT^. 



2 THE CAPTAIN OF THE WATCH. 

CAST OF CHARACTERS. 
Covent Garden, Olympic, New WallacJc's, New York, 

London, 1S41. York, 1&13. March 28, 1870. 

Viscount de Ligny. .Mr. C. Mathews. Mr. Walcot. Mr. Lester Wallack. 
Baron Vanderpotter.Mr. Bartley. Mr. Nickinson. Mr. John Gilbert. 

Adolf de Courtray . Mr. James Vining. Mr. Clarke. Mr. E. M. Holland. 
Officer of the Watch. Mr. Collett. Mr. Barnett. Mr. J. Peck. 

Louis Mr. Ireland. Mr. Bleecker. 

Pierre Mr. Gardiner. Mr. Rae. 

Q -> S ^Ii"- BiRT. ( Mr. Rosenthal. 

^ Mr. Butler. ^ Mr. McKean. 

Kristina Mrs. Walter Lacy. Mrs. Mossop. Miss Geraldine Maye. 

Katryn Mrs. Humby. Mrs. Timm. Miss Effie Germon. 



TIME IN REPRESENTATION— ONE HOUR AND TEN MINUTES. 



SCENERY. 



SCENE /.—A handsomely laid out garden in third grooves. High brick wall at 

c F. 

... I Door. I 

3 K. E. 3 L. E. 



2 r. e. Garden seat. 



1 B. E. 



Handsome porch and 2 l. e. 



steps leading to house, 
li. c. 



1 L. E. 
li. 



back with practicable door in c. A rustic seat between 2 r. e. and 3 r. e., about 
R. c, on which are placed two battledores and one shuttlecock ; between 1 l e. 
and 2 l. e. stone steps, practicable, leading into a stately porch. 

SCENE II.— A front chamber. On the l. a chimney-piece ; on the r. a door 
leading to Kristina's apartment. In f. a door opening on a gallery ; in e. c, 
F. a door ; another door to the l., either in first or upper entrance. 

I Door. I 1 Door. | 

3 K. E. , ^ 3 L.E. 

Chimney-piece. 



2 R. E. 



2l. e. 



Door. 
1 u. 



Door. 

1 L. E. 



COSTUMES. 
Captain op the W^atch.— Drab jacket and trunks ; slouched hat, turned up at 
the side, with feather ; white neckcloth ; sash and sword ; large black boots ; 
and gauntlets. 



THE CAPTAIN OP THE WATCH. 3 

Baron.— Sqnare-cnt brown coat with loose sleeves, trimmed with black ; full 
trunks ; high riding boots ; hat and feather ; baldric and sword. 

Adolf.— Square-cut red coat ; full trunks ; white neckcloth ; hat and feather ; 
baldric and sword ; high boots. 

Officer. — Same style as Captain op the Watch, but plainer, 

Louis and Pierre.— Old-fashioned liveries of the period. 

Officers. — Flemish uniforms. 

Kristina.— White satin dress, with red over-train ; white satin shoes, and pow- 
dered hair. 

Katryn.- Tucked-up old-fashioned chambermaid's dress, and high-heeled shoes. 



PROPERTIES. 



Two battledores and one shuttlecock ; candlestick and lighted candle for Ka- 
TRiNA, in Scene II. ; candlestick and lighted candle for Baron, in Scene II. ; pis- 
tol for Baron in Scene II. ; decanter of wine, two wine-glasses, and plate of wine 
biscuits ; dispatch for Captain ; official report for Officer, 



SYNOPSIS. 
The incidents of this ever-popular piece take place in Brussels, about the era of 
the French regency— corresponding very nearly in extravagant and fanciful in- 
trigues v.ith thiit of tile Merry Monarch in England. It is necessary to point to 
this fact in order to fully realize the likelihood of the strange tangle of events that 
serve to draw out the cool daring and bland nonchalance of the principal figure. 
Now to our story. Kristina, the lovely niece of the old Baron Vanderpotter, 
has secretly pledged lier troth to the handsome, brave, but impetuous Adolf de 
CouRTRAY, an officer of tlie Walloon Guards ; but, as usual, the course of true love 
doesn't run smooth. The Baron is averse to the matcli, although he has never 
seen Adolf. It is approaching sunset, and Kristina is amusing herself in the 
garden, which is enclosed in pretty high walls. Iler maid, Katryn, taking up a 
battledore from a garden seat, knocks the shuttlecock over the enclosure, and tell- 
ing her young mistress that she had better run out for it, or "we shall lose it." 
"No, you won't ; here it is !" is the response, and looking up they see Adolf 
mounted on the crest of the wall with it in his hand. In spite of Kristina's 
warning, he leaps down into the garden. He explains that he had heard, at his 
quarters in Louvain, that the Baron was about to sell his house and remove he 
(Adolf) knew not where. So he leaped into the saddle, rode like the wind, his 
horse falling exhausted under him ; hastened to their house, and met the confirma- 
tion of his direst fears, in the shape of a bill : " TIds house to be sold, and irnmedi- 
ale possession.^'' At the moment the shuttlecock flew over the wall, and struck him 
on the nose. Kristina expostulates with him— that his rashness will incense his 
colonel, and get him into serious trouble. He replies that he is already in trouble, 
and that his superior has threatened to have a description of him sent to the Cap- 
tain of the Watch, and have him dragged to jail, and exposed to the whole city. 
Kristina begs of Adolf to go— saying that his imprudence will break oil the 
match, if her uncle returns and finds him there — and she runs into tlie hous!>. 
Adolf then tells Katryn that he must see Kristina, as his regiment is ordered to 
l:ic frontier, and he may never see her again. Katryn then tells him she will ar- 
range it, so that if he comes after nine — when the Baron has gone to play his 
favorite game with the Governor — she will leave the garden gate open, and he can 
come in. Just then the gate opens, and Viscount de Ligny, Captain of the Watch 
of the City of Brussels, enters. Adolf is not at all pleased at the interruptioii— 
not half liking the Captain's elegant appearance and easy, gentlemanly manners. 
The Captain accounts for his presence by saying that he wished to inquire about 
the house. Katryn withdraws into the house, after telling Adolf that unless he 
leaves the garden the door will be locked at nine o'clock. Adolf hints that he \i 



4: THE CAPTAIN OF THE WATCH. 

not satisfied with the Captain's explanation ; when the latter asks him if he will 
please explain what he is doing in the garden. This nonplusses the young lover. 
The Captain naively informs Adolf that whenever he gives explanations he 
always invents them. At length Adolf leaves, satisfied that the Captain's reasons 
for being there are honorable. And the Captain is about to leave "to meet the 
Marchioness," when Katryn runs in to say that the Bakon is coming ; but the 
officer says he can't wait, and goes off, muttering that he will surprise " the dear 
Marchioness." Katryn locks the door after him ; then instantl}^ unlocks it again, 
and the garden is left tenantless as the darkness increases. Suddenly the Captain 
op the Watch noiselessly enters. He langhs quietly at the droll idea of the nar- 
row escape he had just had of being arrested by his own soldiers ; and determines 
to lie perdu until the hunt is over. The Baron comes in, expressing his aston- 
ishment that Katryn had left the door unlocked. Groping around in the dark, 
the Captain bumps up against the Baron. They draw their swords ; but the 
very darkness prevents their using them. The Baron demands an explanation as 
to the meaning of the other's presence in his garden. To which request the Cap- 
tain responds by narrating a tissue of the most astounding Munchausenisms that 
a fertile brain ever imagined ; the basis of the story being that he had slain the 
seducer of his sister, and was fleeing from retribution. The Baron believes him, 
and offers him refuge till the hue and cry is over. Then follow scenes of the 
rarest comedy— curious complexities and combinations. Adolf comes into the 
garden, and in the dark the Baron, mistaking him for the Captain, leads him into 
the house and conceals him ; while Katryn, taking the Captain for Adolf, leads 
him to see her lady. The unweaving of this tangled web is as full of laughable 
interest as tee weaving of it ; and the piece ends with the Baron giving his con- 
sent to the union of Kristina and Adolf ; while the Captain gives the Baron to 
understand that he will favor his suit with " the dear Marchioness." 



GENERAL REMARKS. 

The Caj)tain of the Watch is never produced with even a cast of medium ability 
without giving satisfaction ; but with performers of talent in all the characters it 
keeps an audience in a state of merr}^ effervescence from the first line to the last. 
The plot is at once simple and ingenious ; the situations are exceedingly droll, yet 
never unlikely ; the characters nicely discriminated, and cleverly contrasted, and 
the winding up very prettily managed. The character of the Viscount de Ligny 
(the Captain of the Watch) has always been a favorite one with the leading light 
comedians during the past thirty years ; while Baron Vanderpotter has been 
personated successfully by the best " old men " on the boards. Many of the finest 
amateur companies have also often performed this piece very acceptably. Although, 
as we have said, this charming comedietta has been very often plaj'ed, and fre- 
quently by companies of undeniable merit — including in their ranks sucli perform- 
ers as appear in the various casts which precede this— yet we are convinced that it 
has never been produced with greater perfection in all respects than at " Wallack's" 
Theatre, New York, during the season of 1875-6. Mr. John Gilbert as the Baron 
Vanderpotter v.as inimitable as the irritable, fussy, passionate, yet good-hearted 
and honorable old nobleman ; Mr. E. M. Holland presented in a very pleasing style 
the ardent and accomplished cavalier, Adolf de Coitrtray- brimful of love, and 
martial fire, and courtesy ; while Lester Wallack graced the stage by his pres- 
ence as le beau sabreiir, the Captain of the Watch — the type of the gay gallant of 
the gayest and most gallaut epoch of the world's history— equally ready for offence 
or defence with tongue and sword; and "thus he plays his part." Kristina 
found a charming representative in Miss Geraldine Maye, and the plump, pretty, 
dimpled, roguish-looking Epfie Germon appeared bom on purpose to personate 
the mischievous Katryn. In costume, scenery, and all other appointments the 
piece was produced faultlessly at Wallack's. 



THE 

CAPTAIN OF THE WATCH. 



SCENE I. — A garden. — At the back, a wall with a small door in it. — 
A seat, on which are two battledores and a shuttlecock. 

Enter Kristina, l., and Katryn, r., meeting. 

Krist. Well, Katryn, has my uncle gone out 1 

Kat. No, he has changed his mind. He says it's too late to go out 
this eveninof. 

Kaisr. Which means, that he would rather stay at Brussels, and play 
at primero with the Governor; he is as fond of that game- 

Kat. As we are of this, {taking one of the battledores) Will you 
play, mamselle ? 

Krist. No, I'm tired of it. 

Kat. Wliicli means, that you have found some more agreeable occu- 
pation. 

KiusT. Hold your tongue, Katryn. I know what you were going to 
say ; and you know I have forbidden you to speak of him. 

Kat Oil, certainly, mamselle — I'm dumb. 

KiusT. Give me a battledore — I will play. 

Kat. There, njamselle ! 

Krist. Poor young man ! I shall never see him again. 

Kat. /didn't mention him then, mamselle. 

Krist. No — no, Katryn — I know you didn't — and I didn't mean — but 
I was thinking of sometiiing else — and so — and so — (playing with the 
shuttlecock by herself, she knocks it over the icall—an exclamation is 
heard wit/tout) Oli, mercy, Katiynl I've sent the shuttlecock over the 
wall ; and I do believe it has fallen on somebody's head. 

Kat. fcliall I run out for it, mamselie'? 

Krist. Oh, no, no 

Kat. But then we shall lose it ! 

Adolf appearing on the loall icith the shuttlecock in his hand. 

Adolf. No you won't ; here it is. 

Kuisr. Adolf 

Ka r. The very man. 
KiasT. Get down, directly. 
Adolf. Certainly, (preparing to jump.) 

Krist. No, no, no, not on this side. (Jie stands up) Oh, dear ! oh, 
dear! if you should be seen. 



6 THE CAPTAIN OV THE WATCH. 

Kat. Don't stand there, at any rate. 

Adolf. I won't, [jumjos into the garden) 

KiiisT There, now ! tliat's your doing, Katryn. What will become 
of nie ! 

Ka 1'. Would you have had the young man stick on the \vall like a 
broken gUiss bottle? {opens door.) 

Apolf Paidon me, dearest Kristina, I am half distracted; I heard 
that your uncle was about to sell this house, and remove no one knew 
whither. Immediately on the receipt of this intelligence, I left Lou- 
vain, galloped hither like a madman — my horse fell dead as I entered 
the city 

Krist. Poor Adolf! 

Kat. Poor horse, you mean. 

Adolf. On arriving here, I saw a horrid board stuck against the 
gate, confirming the news of your intended removal : " This house to 
he sold, irith immediate possession.''' The door was fastened — you might 
have already departed — I was in a paroxysm of despair, when this pre- 
cious shuttlecock, like a descending angel, came pat on my nose, and 
announced the presence of my beloved. 

Kat. Affecting incident ! 

Krist., Distressing situation. If my uncle — if your colonel 

Adolf. Oii, my colonel and I are at daggers-drawn already. My re- 
peated visits, private and without leave, have been made known to him. 
He has ihieatened me with all sorts of punishment — vowed to send a 
descrii)tion of me to the Captain of the Watch, and have me dragged to 
jail here, and exposed to the whole city. You may not believe it, but 
I am at this moment actually under arrest at Louvain. 

KuiST, Would to goodness you were. This imprudence will ruin 
everything. You know the express condition on which my uncle pro- 
mised his consent was, that we should neither meet nor correspond 
until he had leceived a satisfactory account of you from tiie friends iie 
had commissioned to make inquiries as to your family prospects. 
Should he discover that you have broken that condition not only once, 
but twenty times 

Adolf. Tell me only, then 

Krist. I will tell you nothing here — begone this moment! Katryn 
shall write to you.. 

Kat. Yes ! yes, sir, 111 write to you ; but go now directly. 

Adolf. But that won't do, because 

Kat. It must do, and you must go. 

Adolf (to Kristina). But hear me- 

KuiST. I will h>nir nothing. Cruel Adolf, you want my uncle to see 
you, and break olfthc nuitch, you do. 

Adolf. But one woid 

Krist. Not a syhable. Nay, if you won't go, I must, (runs out.) 

Adolf. Kristina! 1 1 is Uiost important. Katryn. what must 1 do 1 

Kat. Don t 1 keep telhng you, sir, y«>u niu.'-t <jo directly 1 Tiiere's 
the door open for you, sir ; run as fa.'st a.s you can, and I'll write as 
soon as I know 

Adolf. Write! write! but you won't hear what I have to say; I 
can't tell you where to write to me. 

Kat. How? 

Adolf. My regiment is under orders for the frontier ; we may march 
to-morrow morninof — deuce knows where. 

Kat. Oh. mercy !" and you never told my mistress ! 

Adolf. How could i 1 slie wouldn't stay to hear. It doesn't signify ; 



THE CAl'TATN OP THE WATCH. / 

war is about, to he declared — wo sliall soon be in action, and I will take 
good care to get killed in the very first charge. 

Kat. You wouldn't be so foolish. 

Adolf. I will, as sure as fate, and you may tell her so ; if she doesn't 
grant me ten minutes' interview to arrange some })lan for our future 
corresi)ondence, Til stake myself on the pikes of the enemy the very 
first opportunity. 

Kat. Well, well, let me see if I can manage it; the Baron will go 
out fibouL nine to play bis favorite aame of priraero with the Governor 
— now, if 1 should leave this door unfastened about half-past nine 

IV/c Captain ok the Watch ajypcnrs at the gate, c. 

Adolt-. My guardian genius! Do that, and — who's this man? and 
wlial does he want here \ 

Kat. It's nobod}' we know. lie's only reading the board over the 
wall. 

Adolf. He's coming in, confound bin) — if he should know me! 

Kat. Then vanish directly. 

Captai.v (enteriitf/. and nfopping Adolf as he is about to pass him). 
I beLT your i)aidon, are you the owner of this house'? 

Adolf. Owner, sir? No, sir. 

Capt. Oil ! merely like myself, perhaps, attracted by the notice of 
sale, 

Adolf. Exactly so, sir. Good day, sir. 

Capt. May 1 ask if you have bought it, sir 1 

Adolf. Bought it, sir 1 No — I — [aside) He's a devilish cool sort of 
fellow ; I don't half lil<e leaving him here. 

Capt. But do you mean to buy it, or have you decided on the con- 
trary ■? be(.'ause I would not interfere 

Adolf Oh ! sir, you are perfectly welcome to 

Kat. (aside to Adolf). Why don't you go at oncel I'll answer 
this genileman. 

Adolf {aside). Go — umph ! Suppose she does know this gentleman, 
and suppose this gentleman knows Kristina, and makes that cursed no- 
tice an excuse 

Capt. It's a pretty looking place; could one see the interior of the 
building 1 

Adolf (aside) Confound his impudence ! 

Kat. It's rather late, sir, but — {aside, to Adolf) Why don't you go 1 

Adolf. I won't stir from tiiis spot till he leaves itl 

Kat. What's the matter now 1 

Adolf. He has come to see Kristina, and you know it ! 

Kat. For shame, for shame! I shall go and fetch the Baron, and see 
if that will make you decamp, {to Captain J I will tell my master, sir, 
you wish to speak with liim. 

Capt. Oh, pray do not disturb him ; miless, indeed, this gentleman 
desires an interview. 

Adolf. Who, I ? by no means. 

Kat. I must tell my master, sir. {aside to Adolf) If you are not 
gone before I return, no door open at half-past nine, mind you. 

[Exit, R. 

Adolf. I care not, 

Capt. {aside . There seems some little mystery here, {aloud) Sir, as 
I said before, I would not, for worlds, interfere ; and as you seem to 
have some understanding about the house with that pretty little person, 
1 wiihdraw from all competition ; the property is yours, sir. 



8 THE CAPTAIN OP THE WATCH. 

Adolf. Indeed, sir! It's my belief, sir, that you did not intend to 
buy it at all, sir. 

Capt. To be frank with you — no more than you did, sir ! 

Adolf. Upon my honor ! a damned cool fellow. Then, sir, may I 
ask what business you have here, sir 1 

Capt. Have a care ; I may chance to put the same question to you. 

Adolf. Confound his assurance ! (aloud) Sir, if I am compelled to 
justify my right to interrogate you, I will do so, on condition that, with 
equal good faith, you declare, on your part 

Capt. Stay, stay ! Suffer me to advise, as well as to inform you, 
never make a confidant of a person you do not know 

Adolf. But, 'sdeath, sir ! I insist on knowing 

Capt. Hear me out — I had a foolish habit myself, of explaining my 
motives to any person who considered himself privileged to ask, and once 
on a time I unfortunately stumbled on the actual husband of a party con- 
cerned, and received a thrust in my left shoulder that laid me up for 
six months — I feel it still in frosty weather ; from that moment, sir, I 
made up my mind, and whenever I am compelled to confess, I always 
invent the confession ! 

Adolf. Invent ! 

Capt. Invent ! And now, sir, after this candid acknowledgment, if 
you think you should be any the wiser, I am ready to begin with you, 
story for story. 

Adolf. Upon my soul, I cannot help laughing. 

Capt. It's the best thing, depend upon it. I have been laughing some 
time, internally, at this rencontre ; and as I am really innocent of any 
intention to cross or annoy you in any way whatever, I will voluntarily 
make amends for my mal-apropos intrusion, by loitering out the re- 
maining ten minutes I must wait, in some other part of the neighbor- 
hood. 

Adolf. Sir, I am ashamed of my suspicions, and will not be outdone 
in courtesy. Pray remain, if it suits your convenience ; I will retire, 
sis, indeed, I am bound to do. 

Capt. Nay, I entreat 

Adolf. And I insist. Good evening to you, sir. [Exit at gate. 

Capt. Humph ! Now, if I really troubled myself about my neigh- 
bors' affairs as much as, being Captain of the Watch, it is my duty to 
do, I should make some very particular inquiries concerning that young 
gentleman. He is not a resident of this city ; at least, I do not recog- 
nize his face, but, positively, it goes against my conscience, when I 
come out gallivanting myself, to spoil the sport of a brother sinner, in 
my capacity of Gustos Morum. No, no. Let him steer clear of my 
myrmidons, and he has nothing to fear from their commander, {clock 
strikes nine) Nine o'clock, by Jove ! Now for my appointment with the 
Marchioness, (going.) 

Enter Katryn, r. 

Kat. Sir, sir ! my master is coming. 

Capt. Pray make my excuses to your master ; I can't stay another 
moment ; I'll call again to-morrow, [Exit at gate. 

Kat. Well, I'm sure ! The other's gone too, however, that's one 
comfort. 

Enter Baron, r. 

Baron. Now, where is this gentleman 1 
Kat. He is gone, sir. 
Bar. Gone ! 



THE CAPTAIN OF THE WATCH. 9 

Kat. Coukli)'t wait any longer. He'll call again to-morrow. 

Bar. Oh, very well, very well ; so much tiie belter. It's too late now 
to see the grounds to advantage. Past nine, getting dark fast; I must 
be off, too. {calling) Kristina ! I'm going, Kristina ! 

Enter Kristina, r. 

Krist. You uill go, then, uncle 1 

Bar. To the Governor, for an hour or so ; I shall not be late, (aside) 
The dear Marchioness I How agreeably surprised she will be ; she 
thinks me miles away in the country, {aloud) Good night, Kristina; 
you may be gone to bed, perhaps, before I return. Katryn, lock this 
door after me : I have got my own key. You need not sit up for me. 
And mind, if anybody should call about the house after I go out, don't 
let them in ; tell them to come to-morrow. 

Krist You are still, then, determined to part with it 7 

Bar. Certainly; I don't like the neighborhood. 

Kat. But where do you think of moving to, sirl 

Bar. I don't know, I haven't yet made up my mind, (aside) The 
Marchioness talks of Bruges ; jierhaps she'll tell me to-night, and tlien — 
(aloud) Good night, Kristina. Lock the door after me, Katryn, there's 
a good girl. [Exit, c. 

Kat. Yes, sir; certainly, sir, ^?oc/^-s ^/r/f^) and unlock it again directly. 
(unlocks it. — It groirs gradually dark during the folloiring dialogue.) 

Krist. Katryn, what are you doing 1 You don't mean to leave the 
gate unlocked ? 

Kat. Oh'! just as you please, mamselle ; only I thought you had an 
objection to Lieutenant Adolf getting over the wall. 

Kkist. Of course I have ; the greatest. 

Kat. Well, then, if I leave the gate open, there will be no occasion 
for his doing so. 

Krist Katryn! Katryn! you will make me very angry with you. 
Have I not told you distinctly that I will not permit his clandestine 
visits "? 

Kat. Certainly, mamselle, twenty times at least, and have been much 
obliged to me for j>aying no attention to you; but as you seem particu- 
larly in earnest this evening. I suppose lam to obey you; and theie- 
fore, I will lock the door, and tell the gaidener to let loose the gieat 
dog ; and then you can go to bed with the comfortable assurance that 
you will never see or hear of Lieutenant Adolf again. 

Krist. AVhat do you mean. Katryn ? 

Kat. I mean, that the poor young gentleman's regiment is under 
marching orders, and that if you do not grant him an interview to- 
night, he has sworn a honible oath, either to bow his brains out him- 
self, or get the enemy to do it for him the very first opportunity. 

Krisi. Under marching orders? 

Kat. Thev move to-morrow; Fate knows where, (noise icithout, hack 
of F.) 

Krist. Hark' What noise is thaf? 

Kat. Some disturbance at the end of the street, {runs todoor) lean 
see the lights of the town watch in the distance. 

Krist. A drunken quarrel, no doubt ; let us go into the house, 
Katryn. 

Kat And lock the gate, mamselle 1 

Kkist. No; if the walcli are close at band, there can be no danger; 
and it might drive poor Adolf 



10 THE CAPTAIN OF THE WATCH. 

Kat. To climb over the wall again ; so we'll leave the gate on the 
latch for. the present. 

Krist. 1 am going to ray own room, Katryn. 

Kat. And I to tell the gardener not to let loose the great dog till 
master comes home again. [ExeuRt separately. — Noise again, nearer. 

The door is opened suddenly, and the Captain ok the Watch enters. 

Capt. Lucky chance, a gate on the latch ; 'sdeatli, if they had 
cau;iht me ! The Captain of the Watch arrested hy the watch ; a plt^a- 
sant anecdote for the gossips of Brussels. Ila ! ha ! 1 cant iielp laugh- 
ing at the notion myself, upon my soul. It was almost a pity to spoil 
so good a joke. But then, my office, and what's more, my salary, would 
be in jeopardy. Besides, the fair Marchioness ! my capture might have 
compromised her. Who the deuce is my rival, I wonder 1 1 should 
like to Ixuow the gentleman whose unexpected visit compelled me, for 
the lady's sake, to rislv my neck by jumping from a second floor window, 
and my reputation, by a scuffle with my own unconscious satellites. Is 
he a young man wliose impetuous spirit she dreads, or an old one, whose 
wealthy purse she has designs on ! 1 suspect the latter, by some hints 
she dropped. Young or old, however, whoever he is, his ariival was 
confounded raal-apropos. How the plague am I to get home without 
discovery 1 ray fellows are on the qui viee at both ends of the street. 
I must take my chance of lying close here till they give up the chase. 

The Bauon opens the garden gate and enters, unheard hy Captain. 

Bar. {aside, as he enters). How's this 1 the gate on the latch ? That 
careless Katryn, when 1 j)articularly ordered her to lock it after me ! 
bhe shall hear of this, and soundly ; I ara just in the temper to fall foul 
of anybody. The Marchioness ill — gone to bed — not to be seen — pro- 
voking ! 

.CAPr. (aside). Where can I have got to 1 The night is so dark, and 
I was so confoundedly hard pressed, that I'll be hanged if I know even 
the street. There are trees here; it must be some garden to a detached 
house, {feeling about.) 

Bar. {aside). Eh! Don't I hear somebody moving about 7 {ad- 
vdnces and runs against Captaix) Hullo ! Who's there 1 

Capt. (aside). Zound.'* ! 

Bar. Who's there? Speak, or I'll run you through the body. 

Capt. {aside, and drawing). The devil you will! (aloud) Don't be 
alarmed, it s only a friend. 

Bar a friend! What friend 1 Whose friend 1 

Capt. Everybody's, a friend of the human race. Don't make a noise. 

Bar. Don't make a noise ! I will make a noise, if you don't im- 
mediately declare 

Capt. I declare I won't do anything, if you make a disturbance. I 
give you fair notice that ray sword is drawn, and you may run against 
it in the dark. Just let me find the way out, and 

Bar Out, sir! you don't-budge a foot till I know who yoxx are, and 
what business you have in my garden at this hour ! 

Capt. In your garden 1 Adzooks ! the master of the house ! Ten 
thousand [)ardons, whoever you are, and accept my most grateful thanks 
for the ])rotection j'our hospitable walls have afforded me. 

Bar. Confound your politeness, sir ! Answer my question, or I'll 
call tho watch ; they are ifi the street 

Capt. Don't think of such a thitig, sir. On (lie contrary, as you are 



THE CAPTAIN OF THE WATCH. 11 

the master of this place, I trust to be still further indebted to your 
generosity. 

Bar Confound your impudence, sir ! answer me directly, what seek 
you here I 

Caft. An asylum. I am the victim of circumstances, (aside) I must 
say someLliiiiii, but I'll be handed if I know what, (aloud) Listen, sir, 
and I will conlide to you tlie fatal secret. Tliat is, as soon as my agita- 
tion will ])eiinit, {amie) and I can think of one that will do. 

Bar. Proceed, or Til call the watch. 

CAPr, Sir, I be.seech you to be calm— I have the strongest reasons 
foi' wishing to remain concealed. 

Bar. I've no doubt. 

Capt. Hear me, sir. I presume I am speaking to a man of honor. 

Bar. I should be glad to i)resume as much on mv part. 

CAPr. You shall be satisfied instantly. 1 am the youngest branch 
of an ancient Flemish family — my name is — {aside) Plague take me if 
I can think of a name ! 

Bar. Well, well. 

Capt. But may I depend upon your secresy 1 

Bar. If you tell me directly, not else. 

Capt. Well, then, my name is Ctesar de Cortenberg. 

Bar. De Cortenberg ! 

Capt. Yes, sir. I am the last of that noble house ; left alone in the 
world, I lived on my i)atrinionial estate near Tournay, retired from the 
world, occupied only with the care of my garden, cultivating tulii)s. 

Bar. Rot your tulips ! Tell me at once, what brought you here. 

Capt. I am coming to that, sir, innnodiately. A letter, a fatal letter, 
reached me, sir, in that j)eaceful paradise, from my sister. 

Bar. Your sister ! you said you were the last of your family — left 
alone in the world. 

Capt. {aside). Did 1 1 {aloud) So I did, sir, and so I am, sir — the 
last male. My sister, sir, my only sister, had taken the veil in the Ur- 
suline Convent, at St. Omer's, so that I was, you see, left alone in the 
world. 

Bar. Well, well, go on. 

Capt. Pardon me, sir, my emotion overcomes me. {aside) I am at a 
dead lock, 1 declare ! (aloud) Where was 1 1 

Bai{. You had a letter from your sister. 

Capt Ah, yes I That letter ! that horrible letter ! A wretch — a mon- 
ster in the luunan shape — an infamous seducer, whose name, respect 
for his noble family compels me to suppress, even to you, my benefac- 
tor. This villain, sir, had lured my unfortunate sister from her pious 
retreat, had carried her off to this city, and then deserted her — left her 
to perish — Oh, sir ! allow my silent tears to flow unchecked. 

Bar. Poor young man, ])oor young man ! this is indeed a sad story. 

Capt. I felt assured ycm would symjiathise with me. 

Bar. I do, I do ; but I am still anxious to know 

- Capt. How I came into your garden, sir — of course — it is but natu- 
ral you should be— I am couiin<i to that, sir. On the receipt of this 
dreadful information, sir, I inunediately set off for Brussels; I arrived 
liere this evening, and went straight to the house in which my unhapfsy 
sister had f(.)und a temi)orary refuse — having obtained entrance, I ])ro- 
ceeded up stairs to her chamber — the door was fastened — I heard a 
stilled cry for help — I recognized my sister's voice — 1 knocked friiutic- 
ally at the door — nobody o{)ened it ! 

Bar. But you burst it open, of course ? 

Capt. Instantly ! {aside) 'Gad, he helps me out ! (aloud) With one 



12 THE CAPTAIN OF THE WATCH. 

blow of my foot, and rushing in — I saw ! Oh, horror ! — What do you 
think I saw, sir 1 

Bar. Your sister in the power of some ruffian ! 

Capt. Exactly so ! {aside) As well that as anything else ! (alovd) 
It was he, the infamous destroyer of her honor ; who, fearful of ex- 
posure, threatened her with death if she did not sign a paper acquitting 
him of all knowledge of her flight. 

Bar. The villain ! I should have run him through the body on the 
spot 

Capt. Noble-minded man ! you but anticipate my words — one thrust, 
and he lay a bleeding corpse at my feet — my sister rushed shrieking 
from the apartment — I followed — found myself in the street 

Bar. And then, the watch, I suppose 

Capt. Yes, the watch, alarmed by the cry of murder, cam'e running 
to the spot — I fled— they pursued. In a strange city, not knowing 
whither to bend my steps, I took the first turnings that presented them- 
selves, entered this street, found a gate unfastened — and now, sir, hav- 
ing made this candid confession, having thrown myself upon your honor 
and generosity, deliver me, if you please, into the hands of justice, for 
having, perhaps, too rashly taken upon myself to avenge the ruin of 
a sister, and the dishonor of a noble family ! {aside) Phew ! 

Bar. No no! young man, you shall not repent your confidence. I 
have been deeply moved by your story — I pity you sincerely; and will 
show my sympathy in more than words — my house shall be your home 
while you need such an asylum. 

Capt Generous man ! 

Bar. I must talk to the Governor on this business. There is con- 
siderable blame to be attached to the police — they should have been 
cognizant of the arrival of two strangers in this city — should have dis- 
covered immediately the situation of the parties, and rescued your 
sister from the grasp of a villain. If I knew the Captain of the "Watch 
I should tell him to his head he had been guilty of gross negligence ; 
as it is, I shall speak to the Governor, and have him reprimanded — per- 
haps displaced. 

Capt. How very kind ! 

Bar. Wait here a moment. I will just reconnoitre in-doors — take 
good heart — time works wonders — your sister may return to the con- 
vent — her name is 

Capt. Louise De Valkenberg. 

Bar. De Valkenberg '? you said De Cortenberg ! 

Capt. Yes ! De Cortenberg de Valkenberg, etc., etc., etc. 

Bar. Ah ! I see ! Well, just wait here, as I said, one moment, while 
I see if the coast be clear, {aside) We can't trust women with such 
secrets, {aloud) Don't move from that spot, I'll be back directly. 

[Exit, cautiously, r. 

Capt. Egad ! the old boy swallows my story capitally. I may as well 
pass the night here, now, as anywhere else, and to-morrow morning, 
what shall 1 say at home 1 Why, give out, of course, that I spent the 
hours in watching over the safetj^ of the sleeping inhabitants ! A foot- 
step ! He returns. 

Enter Katryn, r. 

Kat. {in aichisper). Are you there? 
Capt. {i}i the same tone). Yes! 
Kat. Give me your hantl ; I'll lead you. 

O4PT. \ aside). A wonian! the gentleman's wife, perhaps. There 
never was such hospitality ! \^Exit cautiously icith Katryn, r. 



THE CAPTAIN OF THE WATCH. 13 

Adolf opens gate, c. 

Adolf {entering'). All right, the gate is open I I trembled lest they 
should have given me up, and closed it for the night; the confounded 
watch would not let me pass till I assured them I lived in the street. 

Re-enter Baron, r. 

Bar. {in a whisper). Where are you 7 

Adolf. Here. 

Bar. Stop a minute, till I lock the gate ; the women are gone to bed. 
Don't make a noise. I wouldn't have them know anything of the mat- 
ter, {locks the gate.) 

Adolf (aside). Confusion ! it's the Baron ! What shall I do! 

Bar. Now follow me ! 

Adolf {aside). And he has locked the gate, too ! No way to escape. 

Bar. \N ell, why don't you come? Here, give me your hand; I'll 
lead you. 

Adolf {aside). 'Sdeath! I'm caught ! 

Bar. Don't be afraid, it's all even ground ; I'll tell you when you 
come to the steps. This way — not a word. 

Adolf (aside). Who the deuce does he take me for ? 

Bar. This way ; softly, softly, {leads him out.) 

SCENE II. — A front chamber. — On the l a chimney piece — on the k. 
a door leading to Kristina's apartm,ent In f. a door opening 
on a gallery — another door to the l , cither in first or upper en- 
trance. 

Enter, from her oicn room, Kristina, irith a lighted candle, which she 
places on the table. 

Krist. He must have arrived. How my heart beats ! I am doing 
very wrong in receiving him here. But what can I do 1 The thought 
of losing him forever! — besides, nobody can say that I encouraged him, 
or made the appointment ; that was Katryn's doing, dear girl ; she is so 
devoted to me ; I must get my uncle to raise her wages. 

Enter Katryn, l. 

Kat. Here he comes, mamselle. 

Kkist. Oh, mercy, Katryn ! where is he? 

Kat. On the stairs, in the dark. I stepped before him, to give you 
notice. Poor young man ! he is in such a fever of impatience. In his 
agitation he positively squeezed my hand as if it had been yours ! 

Krist. Katryn ! 

Kat. Oh, he couldn't help it, I felt he couldn't! And when I whis- 
pered to him, that I would do anything to serve you both, he was so 
grateful that he kissed me over and over again I 

Kkist. Katiyn ! I really think he might have helped that! 

Kat. No, he couldn't I he was quite overcome, and so wa.s I almost. 
Poor young fellow, he iS a lover ! But there's no time to lose. May 
he come in, mamselle ? 

Krist. Why, as he has ventured so far — but it's very wrong, 
Katryn 

Kat. To keep him so long in the dark — so it is, mamselle. {re-opens 
the door, l.) Sir ! sir ! come in, here's my lady ! 



14: THE CAPTAIN OF THE WATCH. 

Enter Captaix, l. 

Capt. Tm quite ashamed of giving you all this trouble. 

Kat. and Kuist. (seeing Mm). Ah ! 

Capt. \V hat's the matter ? 

Kat. Oh. mercy ! Uh, dear ! 

Krist, Katryii ! What have you done ? 

Kat. Oil, I don't know ! Somebody's changed him ! 

Capt. Pray, ladies, don't be alarmed ; if I intrude 

Kat. {aside). It's the very gentleman who came about the house this 
evening. 

Capt. I beg a thousand pardons — but after the kindness with which 
I was received by your husband, madam 

Krist. Husband ! 

Capt. Or your father — or your grandfather — for really, I 

Kat, Sh", my lady has neither liusband, father, or grandfather; but 
we are not alone in the house, sir — there are servants, sir — and a man 
servant and a gardener within call, sir — and a great dog. 

Capt. {aside}. What can this mean? (aloud) Did you not expect 
any one, then 1 

Kat. Yes, certainly ; but not you. 

Capt. Indeed ! By what mistake, then — pray do not be alarmed — 
upon my honor, you have no occasion — only just tell me ; were you not 
sent into the garden to fetch me ] 

Kat. Not to fetch you, 1 tell you ! 

Capt. How could I tell 1 I heard somebody whisper, " are you 
there ;" 

Kat. And you answered, "yes." 

Capt. Why, I couldn't say *• no." could I ? (i(? Kristina) It seems, 
then, madam, you had not heard of my unhappy story-^of my unfor- 
tunate sister? (j^utting his hat doioi on a chair.) 

Kat. Not a word, and don't wish. Go out of the house directly. 

CAPr. Your pardon, one moment. 1 begin to perceive, and for the 
first time, know where I am. I recognize your pretty face, my dear, 
and presume that I have, a second time, unintentionally interrupted a 
tender interview. I am most truly sorry, I can assure you, madam : 
but indeed it was not my fault, {aside) What a lovely person ! 'Gad, 
this adventure is getting more and more interesting. 

Krist. Sir, I accept your apologies, and am willing to believe it was 
by mistake. Katryn, light the gentleman down stairs. 

Kat. Yes, mamselle. This way, sir ! 

Capt. (not moving). You are very kind. 

Kat. Here's your hat, sir. 

Capt. (not taking it). You are very kind. 

Kat. Well, but take it, then, and go. 

Capt. To oblige you, I would do almost anything, but this is im- 
possible. 

Kat «r<a' Krist. Impossible! 

Kat. What do you niean ':' 

Capt. I mean, that I must stny here till morning; I have promised 
the gentleman, v\'hoever he may be 

Kat. The aentleman ! What gentleman ? 

Capt. I don't know. You say the lady has no husband, or father, or 
grandfathei-. Bnt it was somebody who found me in the garden. 

Krist Oh, Katryn, if it should be Adolf! ^ 

Kat. Or your uricle ! > {aside to each other.) 

Krist. In either case, there will be murder. \ 



THE CAPTAIN OF THE WATCH. 15 

Kat. Oil, sir ! Was it a young gentleman or an old gentleman 1 

Capt. Upon my honor, I can't say I but I slioukl fancy the latter; 
evidently the master of the iiouse. 

Kat. Then it was your uncle, and we are all ruined ! 

Capt. \r(sule). Oh. there's an uncle theij 

Kkist. If lie has seen Adolf! 

Capt. Adolf! Ah! that must be the young gentleman whose place 
I liave taken. 

Kat. There's somebody coming uj) stairs. 

Kkist. What will become of us ! 

Kai. It's the Baron, and somebody with him 

Capt. Whom he has taken, no doubt, U>v me. Tlie most amusing ad- 
vonlure ! 

Kat. Amusing! We shall be murdeied, I .ell you ! 

(apt. Nonsense! Let us hide and listen. I'll go in here. 

Kui.«;t. No, no, sir ! that's my room. 

Capt. So much the better, no one will think of looking for me in 
it! (runs in, l ) 

Krist. I am lost ! Oh, Katryn ! this is your doing. 

Kat. It cant be helped now. They are coining! Hush: Ilush ! 
(Katkvn blotcs out the candle — they hide thcmsehes.) 

Enter the Bxuoy, feel in f/ his iray, and leading Auolf. 

Bau. {as he enters). One step at the door; there, now we're all right 
again, and now I'll lock this door and then you are safe. 

Adolf {aside,. Safe! What the devil dors he mean? Does he 
know who 1 am, or not? 

Bar. Rest assured, sir, that to-morrow not a soul shall guess what 
has become of you. 

Anoi F {aside). Zounds t Is he going to make away with me ! The 
vindictive old monster! {aloud, and icithdraiting his arm from the 
Baron) Stay, sir; I must request 

Bar Hush ! silence ! This way. 

Adolf. No, I'll not move a step further. I am armed ! 

Bar. I know you are ; but it's of no consequence, now you are once 
in here. 

Adolf (aside). An infernal ambush ! a trap laid for me ! That 
traitress Katryn ! [edoud) At least, I will not yield tamely : 

Bau. My dear sir, be calm. You are in no danger in this liouse, I 
pledgeyou my honor. I am not surprised at your excitability, after 
what has occurred. But pray be silent at present, for your own sake, 
and follow me gently. 

Adolf (aside). What mystery is this 1 

Bau. Go into this room ; don't stir out till I bring you a light, and 
then well settle what's to be done, {opens l. door and puts him in.) 

Adolf {aside). I am bewildered quite! 

Bar. 1 should have of^t a light at first; it would have saved time. 
[Exit Barox, c. d. — Kristina and Katryn advance. 

Kkist. It teas Adoif ! I heard his voice ! 

Kat And your uncle, then, knows all 

Krist. U;iIpss he has taken Adolf for the stranger, which I think he 
Ikis done. 

Kat. We must get the stranger out, then, directly. 

K-asT. Yes, yes, immediately. Open the door softly, while I call 
him. 



16 THE CAPTAIN OF THE WATCH. 

Kat. {iclio has tried the door, l.;. Oh, mercy, maraselle ! it's locked, 
and the key gone ; your uncle has taken it. 

Krist. What shall we do y what shall we do? Think of something, 
dear Katryn. If he should be found in my room, by either my uncle 
or Adolf 

Kat. Ask him to be so kind as to jump out of the window. 

Krist. Oh! he'd never risk it; it's too high, and in the dark he'd 
break his neck or his limbs, and then all must be discovered. 

Kat. Here's the Baron with a light ! Run, run ! 

Krist. Where 1 Where 1 

Kat. Into your own room. 

Krist. Where the man is ] No, no ! 

Kat. Never mind the man ; I'll go with you. Quick ! quick ! {runs 
to room door) Ah ! 

Krist. What's the matter 1 

Kat. He's locked himself in. Sir, sir ! open the door ! 

Krist. Hush ! here's my uncle 1 

Enter Baron, with a lighted candle. 

Bar. Holloa! Who's there ? {aside) Kristina ! Katryn! Provoking! 

KuisT. It's only us, uncle ! 

Kat. No, it's only us, sir ! 

Bar. Only us I only us ! Why aren't you in bed, both of you % 

Kat. In bed ! Law, sir ! Why, it's only just gone ten. 

Krist. We were thinking of it, uncle — but 

Kat. But hearing you just come in, sir, my young lady thought she'd 
just stop and say good-night, sir. 

Krist. Yes, that's all, uncle, {aside) Oh, dear ! he looks as if he 
suspects something. 

Bau. {aside). They look as if they .'juspect something. Can they 
have seen me enter with young Csesar de Valkenberg 1 I wouldn't 
have had it happen for all the world ! 

Kkist. Wasn't the Governor at home, sir, that you came back so 
soon 1 

Bar. Yes — no — that is — I had my reasons for returning, and I don't 
choose to be questioned. Go to bed — good-night ! 

Krist. Yes, sir, certainly, {aside to Katrina) What shall I do now % 

Kat. I'm at my wit's end. 

Bar. Well, why the deuce don't you go, when I tell you, both of 
you \ Do you want me to open the door for you 1 

Krist. No, sir, no 

Kat. Aren't you going to bed yourself, sir ? 

Bar. What's that to you, hussy ] Get you gone, do. What are 
you waiting for, eh 1 

Kat, A— a light, if you please, sir. 

Bar. a light I Why, zounds! were you both in the dark, then % 

Kat. The candle blew out with the whiff of the door, sir, just as you 
came in. 

Bar. Well, then, there; take a light and begone. 

Kat. Yes, sir — but if you please sir, you've locked the door, sir. 

Bar. Oh, ay, true! so I have ; well, there, then; now away with 
you! 

Kat. {aside to Kristina). I'll run down to the garden, and call to 
the gentleman to unlock your door, and then jump out of the window. 

Bar. What are you whispering about there?' Get along with you, 
do ! [Exit Katryn, l. 



THE CAPTAIN OF THE WATCH. 17 

Krist. (aside). Now comes my turn. 

Bar. Well, now you want a light, I suppose? Here, take this, and 
light the candles in your own room. What is the matter with the girl 1 
Kristina, you tremble, and look pale, agitated ! 

Krist. No, indeed, uncle. No — 1 only 

Bar. (aside). She is confused, very much confused ; there can be 
no doubt she does suspect. Shall I ti ust her ] I've a great mind ; 
and yet, it's an awkward secret for a girl of her age. It can't be helped 
— I'd better trust her— I will ! {aloud) Kri:5tina I 

Krist. Yes, uncle! 

Bar. [aside). No, no, I won't trust her. 

Enter ADOLP,fro7n door, l. 

Adolf. T can bear this no longer ! 

Krist. Heavens ! 

Bar {running to him). Rash young man ! What have you done ? 

Adolf. It matters not — come what may, sir — let everything be ex- 
plained ! 

Bar. It must now — concealment is no longer possible. Kristina, my 
love ! you see this young man, his life is in danger. 

Krist. His life ! 

Adolf. My life ! It is threatened, then 1 but I am armed. 

Bar. Armed — pshaw! So you said before; but what will your 
sword do against the sword of justice ? 

Krist. Of justice ! 

Bar. If that wretclied man be dead— if the blow that has avenged 
Louise proved fatal — as you yourself believe, I, even I, am compro- 
mised. Yes, young man, I feel that I am an accessory after the fact — 
ray niece, here, whom you see before you, she may be accused of aid- 
ing and abetting, for we must trust her now ; but you will be secret, 
Kristina, for your own sake, if not for that of this unfortunate young 
gentleman. The most affecting story, the most tragical event — a daugh- 
ter of the house of Cortenberg de Valkenberg — you shall know all in 
the morning — but now, the first thins is to secure him against surprise. 
[goes and locks the door again by which Katryx lias gone out.) 

Adolf {aside to Kristina). Is he mad ? What does he mean 1 

Krist. {aside). I don't know ; but pray don't contradict him. 

Bar. Now follow me — (^^> Kristina) and do you go to bed. Stay ! 
bless my soul ! it quite escaped me — [to Adolf) you require food, 
most likely, as well as rest ; I see you do. Here. Kristina, go yourself 
down stairs, don't call Katryn — don't wake anybody — go gently, and 
bring us any cold meat and bread and so forth that you can find, and 
a bottle of wine ; here are the keys ; I'll unlock this door for you ; no 
words — go, quick ! 

Krist. {aside). How will this end? [Exit Kias-rw a, Ij, 

Adolf [aside). I'm completely puzzled. 

Bar. And now, my young friend, we'll see if we can make you com- 
fortable for to-night, and to-morrow I will endeavor to ascertain what 
has become of your sister, {seeing the Captain's ?iat on the table) 
Here, take your hat, and come with me. 

Adolf. My hat! I've got my hat. 

Bar. Oh ! I beg your pardon ; I'm so bewildered, {goes to put it on 
kis own head, and finds his own hat is on it already). Hey 1 how's 
this ? I've got mine on ; it must be your hat ! 

Adolf. No ; here's mine, in my hand. 

Bar. Why, then, whose hat is this ? 



18 THE CAPTAINS OF THE WATCH. 

Adolf. How can I possibly tell. You best know who is here in the 
linns^\ 

BaPw. In the house ! There's nobody whom such a liat as this — eh, 
zounds ! now I think — Kristina's confusion — can it be possible— (r?//i- 
ning to Kristina's dooi\ k.) Fast, as I live — locked, antl the key in- 
side. Fire and fury ! it must be so ; sir, there's a man in this room, in 
my niece's room ! 

Adoi.f. a man ! 

Bar. {at the door) Open the door, open the door ! 

Adolf. Sir, sir, you cannot mean what you say ; you cannot, sure-y, 
suspect — accuse your niece? 

Bar. I do ; I tell you, I do; there's a man hidden in her room; 
here's his hat, and he lias locked himself in. 

Adolf. Be calm, sir, it is impossible. 

Bar. Don't tell me of being calm, sir ; I know it is not impossible • 
I kiiow who it is, sir. 

Adolf. You do ! AVho, who 1 

Bar. a man I thought more worthy of ray esteem, but who has de- 
ceived me. It is not the first time he has been here 1 

Adolf. How'? 

Bar. I feel assured of it. I have never seen him, we have never 
met; but I am now convinced she has been in the habit of receiving 
him in my absence. 

Adolf. Impossible ! 

Bar. Not at all ; for she loves him. 

Adolf. I tell you, it's impossible. 

Bar. And I tell you, she doats upon him. 

Adolf. Perfidious creaLure ! 

Bar. Ay, so she is 1 Hypocritical, treacherous girl ! I see, sir, you 
feel for me, as I have felt for you ; but I will show you, sir, that the 
Cortenberg de Valkenbergs are not the only family that know how to 
prize their honor. 

Adolf. Hold, sir; I insist upon punishing this seducer. 

Bar. No, I cannot consent ; in your situation 

Adolf. But I am resolved — he shall not escape. 

Bar. Good young man ! 

Adolf. I will have him out 

Bar. Noble young man ! 

Adolf. And slay him on the spot! 

Bar. Excellent young man! Well, be it so; do you guard this 
door; I will down into the garden, to see that he does not escape out 
of the window. I'll call up the servants, I'll loose the great dog. Oh ! 
my dear young friend, little did I think you would so soon return your 
obligations to me. [Exit c. 

Adolf. Now, sir, {at the door) I am alone, open the door ; open the 
door, I say, if you are not a coward ! 

The Captain opens the door and enters, r. 

'Sdeath, it is a man ! and the very man I saw in the garden this even- 
ing. So, then, my suspicions were well founded ! 

Capt. The very gentleman I expected to see. Have you bought the 
house, sir 1 

Adolf. No fooling ! You must be aware, sir, that the man who 
comes out of that chamber at such an hour, must account to me for 
his happiness or his audacity. 



THE CAPTAIN OF THE WATCH. 19 

Capt. I should be delighted to pay for my happiness ; but I'm 
afraid, in this case, it would not ruin me. 

Adolf. I have no time to bandy words, sir ; draw, and defend your- 
self. 

Capt. Cei'tainly — one moment 

Adolf. Where are you soins 1 

Capt. Only to call the uncle, {approaching door, l.) 

Adolf Sir, you shall answer to me, and not to Jiim ! 

Capt. With all my heart. But peiijaps, when the good gentleman 
shall find that it was ?»^Mvhom he left in the garden, and th.ii it was 
you whom he found there on his return ; that his generous champion is 
the clandestine visitor of the young lady, and tliat 1 am here by his 
own invitation, he may be incline<l to hear reason, if you are not. 

Adolf. Don't call, sir, don't call ; if I am mistaken 

Capt. Nay, faith, I should like to see how you'll keep up the joke ; 
I defy you to repeat the story of Louise. 

Adolf. I beg you won't call ; I have, perhaps, been too hasty. I 
have heard some fragments of a strange story of a sister dishonored, a 
person being wounded or killed 

Capt. E.xactly ! I am the brother and the avenger. 

Adolf. And you did not come here, then, to see Kristinal 

Capt. Certainly not ! 

Adolf. In that case, sir, I — {fttopping suddenhf) But now I remem- 
ber what you told me this afternoon in the garden, and am I not justi- 
fied ill suspecting that this story of yours is a pure invention ? 

Capt. Vou are; and so it is, from beginning tu end. 

Adolf. Ila I Then how can I believe your assurance respecting 
Kristiiia? 

Capt. Nay, if you doubt that, I must call the uncle. 

Adolf. No, no! I will believe — I am too anxious to believe! But 
what's to be done ? we have, unintentionally, exchanged characters. 

Capt. Well, we must chanae back again. 

Adolf. Not for the world — at jjresent. Oblige me by playing out 
the last one you have appeared in, to the end. 

Capt. How do you mean "? 

Adolf. The Baron, it seems, takes you for me; do not undeceive 
hira. 

Capt. But sufier myself to be turned out of the house instead of 
you ] 

Adolf. Precisely ! 

Capt. U ell, anything to be agreeable. I believe, by this time, I may 
walk home in safety. I think you will own I am a very accommodating 
])eison ; just as you called me out of that room I was on the point of 
jumi>iiig out of the window in order to oblige the lady's maid, who was 
makinu siijnals of distress to me from the garden; but having risked 
my neck from the second floor of a house (mce before this evening, I 
l)referred availing myself of your polite invitation. 

Adolf. You give me your honor, then, sir 1 

Capt. I do, to continue your representative; it is a much easier 
task, t fancy, than you have undertaken. You must continue the 
romance of Louise de Valkenberg de Cortenberg — hang me if 1 can 
help you out there for I have almost forgotten what I had invented 
already. 

E/iter the Bab.o^ uith a pistol, followed &y Gardener a/itZ Servant, 

armed. 
Bar. Ha ! there he is. 



20 THE CAPTAIN OF THE WATCH. 

C^PT. (aside to Adolf). Who is this gentleman! 

AnoLF. The uncle, Baron Vandeipotter. 

Capt. Oh! {bows to him very politely,) 

Bar. He bows to me; impudence unparalelled ! (aside to Adolf) 
You have not fought 1 

Adolf. No — I 

Bar. I am glad of it. Leave us, my dear friend, for a few minutes; 
don't be alarmed, I mean no violence ; I have made up my mind, (to 
Servants) Retire till I call you._ [Servants retire. 

Enter Kristina, with wine, etc. 

Krist. Here's the wine and — [seeing the Captain) Ah ! 

Capt. {seeing she is about to let the things fall). Permit me, mamselle t 

Bar. {angrily). Sir! 

Capt. Sir ! did you not see the young lady was so agitated 1 she had 
nearly dropped the salver, with everything upon it. 

Bar. What's that to you, sir ? {to Adolf) Leave us, my good friend. 
{to Kristina) Kristina, stay you there. 

Adolf {««ide ^<> Kristina). Don't speak a word; be dumb, whatever 
is said to you or we are lost ! [Exit, l. 

Bar. Unworthy girl, well may you tremble! Look upon your part- 
ner in iniquity, who awaits with equal agitation, the sentence that — 
{turns and sees the Captain, who is dipping a biscuit in a glass of wine) 
Wliat the devil aie you about, sir ? 

Capt. Listening to you, sir, with the greatest respect. 

Bar. Sir! Do you know that, in the first transports of my fury, I 
had determined to kill you I 

Capt. Indeed ! 

Bar. I have renounced tliat intention. 

Capt. You have done very right. 

Bar. Yes, happily for you, I have had time to reflect, and to feel 
that the iionor of my family would not be satisfied by so barren a ven- 
geance. Sir, you shall marry my niece. 

Capt. Tiie deuce 1 shall ! [aside) Here's a new incident. 

Krist. And I must not say a word ! 

Bar. Do not hope, however, that I shall forgive either of you. No, 
as long as I live, I never will. But the man who has been surprised in 
her chamber cannot refuse to make that reparation. Sir, you shall 
marry her ! 

Caht. Permit me one moment 

Bar. Sir, consent to marry her instantly, or I'll blow your brains 
out. 

Capt. My dear sir, under such circumstances, I couldn't hesitate for 
a moment. 

Bah. Enough! You hear Kristina 

Capt. {aside). She hears — j'es, and egad, she doesn't say no. 

Bap. You shall be married to-morrow morning — no feasting — no 
friends — privately and suddenly — and the moment the ceremony is over 
you shall quit this house, never to enter it more. 

Capt. Together, of course 

Bar. Of course ! 

Capt. {aside). And she doesn't say no. {aloud) Sir, I am delighted 
with this arrangement; but I should like to hear what the young lady 
has to say on the subject. 

Bar. Sir, she has nothing to say — my will is law — she has but to 
obey in silence, {retires up.) 



THE CAPTAIN OF THE WATCH. 21 

Capt. (aside). And, egad, she seems inclined to do so. Well, this is 
the most whimsical affair — but it isn't my fault — the young gentleman 
himself requested — the uncle insists — and the lady does not say " no!" 
Faith, she s a very lovely person — I don't know that I could do better. 
(aloud; Maniselle, may 1 flatter myself that this is not a dream — that 
your silence is really a proof that this decision of your excellent uncle 
is not di>pleasing to you 1 

Krist. Sir ! {adde) I don't know what to do. He conjured me to be 
dumb, whatever was said ! 

Capt. (aside). She will not say " no." Nay, 'faith, then, here goes. 
{aloud) Beautiful Kristina! at your feet I swear to you 

Krist Sir ! 

Bar. Enough ! enough ! 

Capt. No, sir, not half enough — in the relation we now stand to each 
other — upon this white hand I seal the bond of mutual, of eternal af- 
fection. 

Enter Adolf, hastily, l. d. f., and down, l. 

Adolf. How's this 1 At her feet — what are you doing 1 

Capt {aside). Following your instructions to the letter ! 

Bar. {to Adolf). How can you be so imprudent — in your situation 1 
(to Captain) Sir, this gentleman is a friend of mine, who is, no doubt, 
surprised at my weakness in thus giving you my niece. 

Adolf Givini^ him your niece 1 

Bah. Yes, my friend, yes ! Oh, I know what you will say — I know 
that in my i)lace you would have acted differently, but 

Adolf. And he accepts her 1 

Bar. Of course. If he had dared to refuse, I [showing pistol.) 

Adolf. And you — you, mamselle, have nut piotested 

KiiiST. {aside). You told me not to say a word. 

Adolf. This is downright treason. Sir, I will not suffer 

Bar. But my good friend — my dear friend 

Adolf. Baron, you are imposed upon — I will bear this no longer — 
you do not know to whom you are giving your niece — I am Adolf de 
Court ray. 

Bar. "Eh! 

Capt. {aside). Ah! Adolf de Courtray ! ^o, %o—{ pulling a dispatch 
hastily out of his pocket and glancing over it.) 

Adolf Yes, Adolf de Courtray, lieutenant in the second regiment of 
Walloon Guards. 

Capt. {aside). Exactly so ! 

Adolf. Absent, without leave, from his quarters at Louvain. 

Capt. {aside). Exactly so ! 

Adolf. And who has risked the loss of his commission — who runs 
the chance of being arrested this moment 

Capt. \aside). E.vactlyso! {putting up paper.) 

Adolf. For the love he bears this lady. 

Bar. How — what — you are not Cajsar de Valkenberg de 

Adolf. No. sir, no! I am not the person you found in your garden 
— nor is there any truth in the story you have been told. 

Bar. Fiends and fury ! have I passed a whole night in sympathizing 
with a family that had no existence 1 {to Adoi.f) Sir— (^o Captain) 
sir, I will have satisfaction. I will have an explanation. Who are you, 
sir] 

Capt. The unhappy brother of the ill-fated Louise de 

Bar. Sir, you shall" repent this usase, whoever you are. {goes to c. D.) 
Hullo ! Pierre ! Louis ! Run ! call the watch— raise the neighborhood ! 



22 THE CAPTAIN OF THE WATCH. " 

Capt. By all means, {aside) Now I have good reason for being here, 
it doesn't signify. 

Bar, If you attempt to escape I'll fire ! 

Capt. Oli, you needn't be alarmed, sir. {seats himself.) 

Bar. Was tliere ever such assurance 1 {to Adolf) As for you, sir, 
quit this house, and never let me see you more. 

Adolf. Oh, sir, you need not have given me that injunction ; I feel 
that I too have been imposed upon — that I too have been grossly de- 
ceived ; but I will first know by whom — I will first see that impostor un- 
masked, and then 

Krist. Indeed, Adolf ! 

Enter Katrtx, hastily. 

Kat. Oh, sir ! oh, mamselle ! we're all ruined — here's the city watch 

— the soldiers — all the neighborhood 

Bar. Aha ! Now, sir, now — {to Captain.) 

Enter an Officer of the Watch, icith Guard. 

Officer. What is the matter ? 

Bar. There he is, sir — that's the man. 

Officer ( going up to Captain, recognizing and saluting him). Who 
am I to arrest, sir 1 

Bar. {in great astonishment). Eh 1 

Capt. ( pointing to Adolf). That gentleman ! 

Adolf. Me ! 

Krist. Oh, Adolf ! 

Capt. " Adolf de Courtray, Lieutenant in the 2d regiment of Walloon 
Guards, absent, without leave, from his quarters at Louvain." [pass- 
ing over to him) You cannot be surprised, sir — you expected as much 
— there, you perceive, are my orders, {handing him the dispatch.) 

Ai>olf [reading). " To the Captain of the Watch." 

Capt. Which 1 have the honor to be. 

Bar. ) 

Krist. \ The Captain of the Watch ! 

Kat. ) 

Kat. [aside^. Well, for the head of the police, he certainly has the 
most extraordinary manners. 

Bar. I am positively thunderstruck ! How, sir ! a public officer, 
appointed especially to watch over the morals of a great city — to be 
surprised in a situation-- 

Capt. Wherein he had placed himself in order to prevent a clandes- 
tine meetinir, and to arrest the principal offender. 

Bau. Eh! nay — certainly — if it was with that intention. 

Capt. Harkye, Baron : when the head of a family is unmindful of 
wliat is i)assing in his own house, it is the business of a paternal gov- 
einmeut to act for him, and a hard task it has to execute. See, sir, 
here is an official report {taking it from Officer) of every misde- 
meanor which has occntied this night in Brussels, [handing it to him. 
Aside) My own arlventure is. no doubt, in the list. 

Bar. {aside). What's this 1 {reads aloud) " About ten o'clock last 
nin[ht a man was seen to descend from the balcony of the second floor 
window of the house of the Marchioness de " 

Capt. Hush ! don't mention names, {aside) There's my adventure, 
sure enough. 

Bar. Can I believe my eyes ? {forgetting himself) The traitress ! 



THE CAPTAI!; OF THE WATCH. 23 

Capt. Eh' inside},. A; I live, my rival ! Excellent! {taking the pa- 
per from Jiim) 'J'liat's (Miougii; yi;u f^oe willi what vigilance 

Bau. {fnHoudy'^. A man! from itie second floor window ! 

Capt. Hiisli ! don't betray yourself; you know very well who it was. 

Bau. (C('iif>(sfd<- I ! 

Capt. Of course — it was you ! 

Bar. No such thinif ! I came out at the door. 

Capt. Indeed! Oh. we'll alter it then in the report, and put your 
name in, as you have confessed. 

Bar. 'Sdeath ! No— I— confound it! 

Capt. Just as you please. It shall stand as it is, provided you con- 
sent cheerfully to tlie marriage of that young gentleman with your 
niece. 

Bar. Never, sir. never' I 

Capt. Then I must coxxeci the report; my duty as Custos Morum 

Bar Stop, stop! I'M- 1 11 think of it. 

Capt. I felt assured you would, {to Kristi:ja) Mamselle, I have the 
pleasure to inform you that 1 have persuaded your worthy uncle to 
give his consent to your marriage with Lieutenant Adolf de Courtray ! 

Adolf Is it possible \ 

Krist. Oh. sir ! 

Bar. But— But 

Capt Bat he is arrested, yon would say — so he is, but I will take 
his word of honor not to quit this house i motions men off) without my 
permission ; and in the meanwhile, I liave some influence with his 
colonel, which I will gladly exercise in his behalf. 

Adolf. Generous man! 

Kat. Oh, if all the police were like him ! 

Bar. Still I must say 

Capt. Nothing, uidess yon wi.sh me to alter the report. Be satisfied 
tlie Marchioness doats upon you; I have means of ascertaining, and 
should she ever dream of proving false to you — 1 shall be at her 
elbow. 

Bai{. My dear sir, I may confide, then, in your vigilance? 

Capt. Yon may. {aloud) And I trust the adventures of this evening, 
Baron, will induce yi)u, as well as others, to rest perfectly satisfied with 
the good intentions, at any rale, of Tub C.\ptain of tub Watch. 

CUJRTAIN. 



STAGE DinECTIONS. 

R. mean? Right of Stage, facing the Audience ; L. Left ; C. Centre ; R. C. Right 
of Centre ; L. C. Left of Centre. D. P. Door in the Flat, or Scene running across 
the back of the Stage ; C. D. F. Centre Door in the Flat ; R. D. F. Right Door in 
the FhJt ; L. D. F. Left Door in the Flat ; R. D. Right Door ; L. D. Left Door ; 1 
E. First Entrance : 2 E. Second Entrance ; U. E. Upper Entrance ; 1, 2 or 3 G. 
Fir.sl, Second or Third Groove. 

R. R. C. C. L. C. L. 

^~ The reader iti supposed to be upon the Stage, facing the Audience. 



DE \A/'ITT'S ACTING PLAYS (Continued). 



No. M. r. 

144. Lancashire Lass, melodrama, 5 acts. 12 3 
34. Larkins' Love Letter.^, farce, 1 act.. 3 2 

137. L' Article 47, drama, 3 acts 11 5 

111. Liar (The), comedy, 2 acts 7 2 

119. Life Chase, drama, 5 acts 14 5 

16.5. LiviDi,' Statue (The), farce, 1 act. ... 3 2 

48. Little Annie's Birthday, farce, 1 act. 2 4 
32. Little Rebel, farce, 1 act 4 3 

164. Little Ruby, drama, 3 acts 6 6 

109. Locked In, comedietta, 1 act 2 2 

85. Locked In with a Lady, sketch, 1 act. 1 1 

87. Locked Out, comic scene 1 2 

143. Lodjiers and Dodgers, farce, 1 act.. 4 2 
189. Leap Year, musical duality, 1 act. . . 1 1 

163. Marcoretti, drama, 3 acts 10 3 

1.54. Maria and Magdalena, play, 4 acts . 8 6 

63. Marriage at Any Price, farce, 1 act. 5 3 

39. Master Jones' Birthday, farce, 1 act. 4 2 

7. Maud's Peril, drama, 4 acts 5 3 

49. Midnight Watch, drama, 1 act 8 2 

15. Milky White, drama, 2 acts 4 2 

46. Miriam's Crime, drama, 3 acts 5 2 

51. Model of a Wife, farce, 1 act 3 2 

184. Money, comedy, 5 acts 17 3 

108. Mr. Scroggins, farce, 1 act 3 3 

188. Mr. X., farce, 1 act 3 3 

169. My Uncle's Suit, farce, 1 act 4 1 

130. My Wife's Diary, farce, 1 act 3 1 

92. My Wife's Out, farce. 1 act 2 2 

193. ]My Walking Photograph, musical 

duality, 1 act 

Never Reckon Your Chickens, etc , 

farce, 1 act 3 

New Men and Old Acres, comedy, 3 8 

Nobody s Child, drama, 3 acts 8 

Noemie, drama, 2 acts 4 

No Name, drama, 5 .-cts 7 

Not a Hit Jealous, farce, 1 act 3 

Not So Had as We Seem, play, 5 acts. 14 

Not Guilty, drama, 4 acts 10 

Not Such a Fool as lie Looks, drama, 

3 acts 5 

171. Nothing Like Paste, farce, 1 act. ... 3 

14. No Thoroughfare, drama, 5 acts and 

prologue 13 

173. Off the Stage, comedietta, 1 act 3 

176. On Bread and Water, farce, 1 act... 1 

90. Only a Halfpenny, farce, 1 act 2 

170. Only Somebody, farce, 1 act 4 

One too Mauv for Him, farce, 1 act. 2 

£100.WK), comedy. 3 acts 8 

Orange Blossoms, comedietta, 1 act. 3 
Orange Girl, drama, in prologue 

and 3 acts 18 

Ours, comedv, 3 acts 6 

94. Our Clerks, farce, 1 act 7 

45. Our Domestics, comedy farce, 2 acts 6 
155. Our Heroes, military play, 5 acts. . .24 
178. Out at Sea, drama in prologue and 

4 acts 16 

147. Overland Route, comedy, 3 acts. . ..11 

Peace at Any Price, farce, 1 act 1 



140. 



Hi 



104. 
112. 
185. 
84. 
117. 



33. 
3. 

97. 
66. 

172. 



1 1 

3 4 
8 5 
3 
4 
5 
3 
3 
6 



.56. 

S2. Peep o' Day," drama, 4 acts 12 4 

127. Peggy Green, farce, 1 act 3 10 

23. Petticoat Parliament, extravaganza, 

in one act 15 24 

H2. Photographic Fix. farce, 1 act 3 2 

A COMPLETE 



No. M. P, 

61. Plot and Passion, drama, 3 acts 7 2 

138. Poll and Partner Joe, burlesque, 1 

act 10 3 

110. Poppleton's Predicaments, farce, 13 6 

50. Porter's Knot, drama, 2 acts 8 2 

59. Post Boy, drama, 2 acts 5 3 

95. Prett> Hen se-Breaker, farce, 1 act.. 3 10 
181 and 182. Queen Mary, drama, 4 acts.38 8 
1.57. Quite at Home, comedietta, 1 act. . . 5 2 
196. Queerest Courtship (The), comic op- 
eretta, 1 act 1 1 

132. Race for a Dinner, farce, 1 act 10 

183. Richelieu, plav, 5 acts 16 2 

38. Rightfui Heir,' drama, 5 acts 10 2 

77. Roll of the Drum, drama, 3 acts 8 4 

13. Ruy Bias, drama. 4 acts 12 4 

194. Rum, drama, 3 acts 7 4 

195. Rosemi Shell, travesty, 1 act, 4 

scenes 6 3 

158. Schcjol, comedy, 4 acts 6 6 

79. Sheep in Wolf's Clothing, drama, 17 5 

37. Silent Protector, farce, 1 act 3 2 

35. Sik-nt Woman, farce. 1 act 2 1 

43. Sisterly Service, comedietta. 1 act.. 7 2 

0. Six Months Airo, comedietta, 1 act. 2 1 

10. Snapping Turtles, duologue, 1 act.. 1 1 

26. Society, comedy, 3 acts 16 5 



1 2 



7 3 



78. Special Performances, farce, 1 act.. 

31. Taming a Tiirer, farce, 1 act 

150. Tell-Tale Heart, comedietta, 1 act 
120. Tempest in a Teapot, comedy, 1 act. 
146. There's no Smoke Without Fire, 
comedietta, 1 act 

83. Thrice Married, personation piece, 
lact 

42. Time and the Hour, drama, 3 acts. . 

27. Time and Tide, drama, 3 acts and 

prologue 7 

133. Timothy to the Rescue, farce, 1 act. 4 
153. 'Tis Better to Live than to Die, 

farce, 1 act 2 

1:J4. Tompkins the Troubadour, farce, 1 3 

29. Turning the Tables, farce, 1 act. . . . 5 
168. Tweedie's Rights, comedy, 2 acts.. 4 
126. Twice Killed, farce, 1 act 

56. Two Gay Deceivers, farce, 1 act 3 

12:3. Two Polts, fa.'ce, 1 act 4 4 

198. Twin Sisters (The), comic operetta, 

lact 3 1 

162. Uncle's Will, comedietta, 1 act 2 1 

106. Up for the Cattle Show, farce, 1 act. 6 2 

81. Vandyke Brown, farce, 1 act 



6 3 



Volunteer Review, farce, 1 act 6 

W^alpole, comedy, 3 acts 7 

Wanted, a Young Lady, farce, 1 act. 3 
War to the Knife, comedy, 3 acts. . . 5 
Which of the Two? comedietta, 1 act 2 

Who is Who? farce, 1 act 3 

Widow Hunt, comedy, 3 acts 4 

William Tell with a Vengeance, 

burlesque 

Woman in Red, drama, 3 acts and 

prologue 6 

Woman's Vows and Mason's Oaths, 

4 acts 10 4 

11. Woodcock's Little Game, farce, 2 4 4 
54. Young Collegian (Cantab.), farce, 13 3 

DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE 



161. 



4 
10 
2 
4 

8 2 



i '^^^^^ of DE WITT'S ACTING PLAYS AND DE WITT'S 

I ^HIOPIAN AND COMIC DRAMAS , containing Plot, Costume, Scenery, 
TiL' e of Representation and every other information, mailed free and post paid. Address, 



LiBRftRV OF CONGRESS 



DE WITTS ETHIOHAK^ 




0014 528 348 6 # 



Nothing so thorougli and complete in the ivay of Eth\ ^ " " / ^tuiaas lias ever 

been printed as those that appear in the folloiving list. Not only are the plots excellent, the 
characters droll, the incidents funny, the language humorous, but all the situations, by-jjlay, 
positions, pantomimic business, scenery and t.Hcks are so 2>l(iinly ^et doivn, and clearly ex- 
2)lained, that the mertst novice could piut any of them on the stage. Included in this catalogue 
are all the most laughable and effective 2neces of iheir class ever produced. 

*** In ordenng, please copy the figures at the commencement of each play , which indicate 
the nimiber of the piece m " De Witt's Ethiopian and Comic Drasia." 

1^° An-g of the following Plays sent, postage free, on receipt of price— V.'^ Cents Each.. 

Address, ROBERT M. DE WITT, 

JVo, 3S Hose Street, JV^ew York. 

J^" The figure following the name of the Play denotes the number of Scenes. The 
figures in the columns indicate the number of characters, — 'SI. male; Y. female. 
*;,.* Female characters are generally assumed by males in these plays. 



No. M. 

73. African Box, burlesque, 2 scenes. . . 5 

6. Black Chap from Whitechapel, 1 s. 4 

10. Black Chemist, sketch, 1 scene 3 

11. Black Ey'd William, 2 scenes 4 

24. Bruised and Cured, sketch, 1 scene. 2 

40. Big Mistake, sketch, 1 scene 4 

42. Bad Whiskey, sketch, 1 scene 2 

43. Baby Elephant, sketch, 2 scenes.. . 7 

78. Bogus Indian, sketch, 4 scenes 5 

79. Barney's Courtship, Irish, 1 scene. 1 

89. Bogus Talking Machine, Dutch 4 

35. Coal Heavers' Revenge, 1 scene.. 6 

41. Cremation, sketch, 2 scenes 8 

12. Daguerreotypes, sketch, 1 scene — 3 

50. Draft (The), sketch, 1 act, 2 scenes. 6 
53. Damon and Pythias, 2 scenes 5 

63. Darkey's Stratagem, sketch, 1 act.. 3 

64. Dutchman's Ghost, sketch, 1 scene. 4 
95. Dutch Justice, sketch, 1 scene 11 

4. Eh ? What is it ? sketch, 1 scene. . . 4 
52. Excise Trials, sketch, 1 scene 10 

67. Editor's Troubles, farce, in 1 scene. . 6 
^%. Elopement (The), farce, 2 scenes. . . 4 

25. Fellow That Looks Like Me, Is.... 2 

51. Fisherman's Luck, sketch, 1 scene. 2 
88. First Niglit, Dutch sketch, 4 scenes 4 

17. Ghost (The), sketch, 1 scene 2 

31. Glycerine Oil, sketch, 2 scenes 3 

20. Going for the Cup, interlude, 1 scene 4 
58. Ghost in a Pawnshop, 1 scene 4 

70. Guide to the Stage, sketch, 1 scene. 3 
77. Getting Square on Call Boy, 1 scene 3 

82. Good Xight's Rest, sketch, 1 scene 3 

83. German Emigrant, sketch, 1 scene. 3 
86. Gripsack, sketch, 1 scene 3 

3. Hemmed In, sketch, 1 scene 3 

23. Hard Times, extravaganza, 1 scene. 5 
48. High Jack, the Heeler, 1 scene.. 6 
61. Happy Couple, sketch, 1 scene 2 

68. Hippotheatron, sketch, 1 scene 9 

71. In and Out, sketch, 1 scene 2 

33. Jealous Husband, sketch. 1 scene 2 
94. Julius the Snoozer, 3 scenes. 7 

1. Last of the Mohicms, 1 scene.... 3 

18. Live Injun, sketch, 4 scenes 4 

36. Laughing Gas, sketch, 1 scene 6 

37. Lucky Job, farce. 2 scenes 3 

60. Lost Will, sketch, 1 scene 4 

90. Lunatic (The), sketch, 1 scene 3 

8. Mutton Trial, sketch. 2 scenes 4 

19. Malicious Trespass, sketch, 1 scene. 3 



No. 

44. 

96. 
101. 

49. 

22. 

27. 

30. 



Musical Servant, sketch, 1 scene. . . 3 
Midnight Intruder (The), 1 scene. . 6 

Molly Moriarty, Irish, 1 scene 1 

Nightin a Strange Hotel, 1 scene. ... 2 
Obej'ing Orders, sketch, 1 scene... 2 

100th Night of Hamlet, 1 scene 7 

One Night in a Bar Room, 1 scene 7 
One, Two, Three, sketch, 1 scene.. 7 

Policy Players, sketch, 1 scene 7 

Pompey's r-'atients, 2 scenes , . 6 

Porter's Troubles, sketch, 1 scene.. 6 
Port Wine vs. Jealousy, 1 scene.. 2 
Pete the Peddlar, sketch, 1 scene.. 2 
Painter's Apprentice (The), 1 scene 5 
Polar Bear (The,) farce, 1 scene. ... 5 
Recruiting Ofiice, sketch, 2 scenes. 5 

Rival Tenants, sketch, 1 scene 4 

Remittance from Home, 1 scene ... 6 

Rigging a Purchase, 1 scene 2 

Rival Artists, sketch, 1 scene 3 

Stupid Servant, sketch, 1 scene 2 

Streets of New York, sketch, 1 scene 6 

Sam's Courtship, farce, 1 scene 2 

Scenes on the Mississippi, 2 scenes. 6 
Serenade (Tne), sketch. 2 scenes... 7 

Scampini, pantomime, 2 scenes 6 

Storming the Fort, sketch, 1 scene. 5 
Siamese Twins, sketch, 2 scenes. .. 5 

Slippery Day, sketch, 1 scene 6 

Stage Struck Couple (The), 1 scene. 2 
Sausage Makers (The), sketch, 2 s.. 5 
Squire for a Day, sketch, 1 scene. . . 5 

Stranger (The), sketch, 1 scene 1 

Sleepwalker (The), sketch, 2 scenes 3 
Three Chiefs (The), sketch, 2 scenes 6 

Three, A. M., sketch, 1 scene 3 

Two Black Roses (The), sketch.... 4 

Tricks, sketch, 2 scenes 5 

Three Strings to One Bow, 1 scene. 4 
Take It, Don't Take It, sketch, 1 s. 2 

Them Papers, sketch, 1 scene 3 

Uncle Eph's Dream, sketch, 2 s ... 3 
Vinegar Bitters, sketch, one scene. 6 
Who Died First, sketch. 1 scene. . . 3 
Wake up, William Henry, 1 scene.. 3 
Wanted, a Nurse, sketch, 1 scene.. 5 
Weston the Walkist, Dutch 1 scene 7 
What Shall I Take ? sketch, 2 scenes 8 
Who's the Actor ? farce, 1 scene... 4 
Wrong Woman in the Right Place 3 
Young Scamp (The), sketch, 1 scene 3 



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